Gripper Weaving Machine Movement Parameter Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gripper weaving machines face challenges in accurately determining movement parameters such as movement stroke, speed, and acceleration, which limit weaving speed due to the complexity of transmission mechanisms and phase shifts between gripper movements and drive shaft rotations.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine the movement parameter of a gripper by capturing angular positions of a drive element when a transmission part moves over a defined range, allowing for the calculation of oscillation amplitude and transmission ratio independently of phase shifts, using markers and sensors to measure angular changes, and storing geometric parameters for different amplitudes and strokes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If transmission mechanisms with adjustable amplitude are used to control gripper movement, then the movement stroke can be adjusted, but the determination of movement parameters becomes inaccurate due to phase shifts between gripper movements and drive shaft rotations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment of movement strokeVSAvoiddetermination of movement parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sensors to detect the angular position of the drive element and provides feedback to a control unit. The control unit calculates the amplitude of oscillation based on this feedback, continuously monitoring and adjusting for phase shifts between the drive shaft rotation and gripper movement, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite adjustable stroke settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement methods with an electronic sensing and calculation system. Instead of relying on mechanical linkages to directly indicate movement parameters, the system uses angular position sensors and computational algorithms to determine movement parameters, eliminating the accuracy issues caused by mechanical phase shifts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex transmission mechanisms are used to enable adjustable amplitude oscillation, then gripper movement control is achieved, but the weaving speed is limited due to the complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable amplitude oscillationVSAvoidweaving speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from mechanically adjusting transmission parameters to electronically controlling movement parameters. By using sensors to detect angular position and computationally determining movement characteristics, the system can rapidly adjust amplitude and stroke without the mechanical complexity that limits speed, enabling faster response and higher weaving speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If markers and sensors are added to measure angular positions, then movement parameter determination becomes accurate, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position measurementVSAvoidnumber of sensors and markers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential measurement function needed - detecting angular position of the drive element. By focusing on this single critical parameter and using it to calculate all other movement parameters mathematically, the system achieves high measurement precision with minimal sensors and markers, avoiding unnecessary complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4008817B1Method and device for determining a movement parameter of a gripper
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 PICANOL NV
  • EP4008817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4008817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4008817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a movement parameter of a gripper (3, 5) in a gripper weaving machine, wherein the gripper (3, 5) can be driven to move back and forth using a transmission part (31, 32), wherein a drive element (12, 26) rotating with a drive shaft (7) of the gripper weaving machine is drivingly coupled via a transmission mechanism (24, 25) to the transmission part (31, 32), wherein the transmission part (31, 32) can be driven by the drive element (12, 26) to oscillate between extreme transmission part positions, wherein an amplitude of an oscillation of the transmission part (31, 32) is adjustable by setting the transmission mechanism (24, 25), and wherein the method comprises the steps of determining a change in an angular position of the drive element (12, 26) when moving the transmission part (31, 32) over a defined range (Δα), and determining the amplitude of the oscillation of the transmission part (31, 32) based on the determined change in the angular position (Δ Θ1, Δ Θ2) of the drive element (12, 26).